Atlantic Coast - Authentic Trails

Atlantic Coast
Along golden sandy beaches and fishing villages
Tour ID
Destiny: Portugal
Region: North of Portugal and Spain
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Available levels of difficulty: Easy and Medium *
Recommended season: February to November
Available bikes for this tour: Hybrid and E-bike
*Detailed information at the end
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About this tour
The Atlantic Coast biking holiday route represents 24/7 in the freshest, lightly salty air imaginable.
A boost to both body and mind. As you cycle southwards from the Galician coastal region in the
north, the beauty of continuously changing views over the vast Atlantic will impress itself on your
mind and soul. Taste both Galician and Portuguese seafood. Encounter latter-day pilgrims on the
Camino de Santiago, with whom you share a few kilometres. Meet the nicest fishermen and their
wives who will welcome you and enjoy sharing lifetime experiences and customs. Stroll through
the fish markets and watch them as they work.
Visit Porto, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, classified as a Unesco World Heritage Property.
Learn about Port Wine, the beverage and the associated culinary dimension of its own. Dance on
saltpans and bring back some excellent salt crystals from there. Taste, smell, meet and bask in the
sun as you cycle gently along this beautiful coast. Maybe, even dream. After a great day cycling,
the night will cherish you with nothing less than the freshest air conceivable.
Highlights

Two countries – Portugal and Spain - in one trip

Cycle a leisurely track along the North of Portugal and Galicia (Spain)

Accommodation by the sea, some facing the beach

Enjoy golden beaches and the sea, countryside and forests, lagoons, all in a single trip

Ride through the protected Natural Park of the São Jacinto dunes

Cycle past fishing villages frozen in time and observe the ancient art of fishing

Daily Atlantic catches of unbeatable fish and shellfish

Porto, famous for Port wine and a lively World Heritage city. Voted Best European City Destination
in 2013 and 2014

Towns rich in roman, baroque and neoclassical architecture

Traditional salt pans by the sea
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Day by day
 Day 1 - Baiona
From Porto airport (Portugal) where you will arrive, you will be taken to Baiona (in Galicia, Spain),
a charming and lively harbour town, where a dish of fresh fish from the sea is an absolute must.
Don’t forget to stroll around the harbour or the Monterreal Fort, famous for the Príncipe Tower.
 Day 2 - stage 1 - Caminha
The first half of the day on your bike you cycle in Spain, gently following the flat coastline, along
the foothills of the Sierra de la Grova mountains and a bit further south, of the Sierra de Argalo.
You may enter Portugal by ferry, across the River Minho into the town of Caminha, or a bit further
upriver, by crossing the Vila Nova de Cerveira bridge. In Caminha delight in the stately houses that
set the scene as you enter the town, whose history dates as far back as pre-Roman times. Your 40
kilometres stage ends here. A lovely wine tasting and dinner (option) awaits you.
Stage Characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
40
59.4
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
65
0
65
Elevation gain (m)
160
180
Routes
Paved
Trails
100%
0%
100%
0%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 3 - stage 2 – Viana do Castelo
Cycle southwards on excellent asphalted cycle paths along the coast and fields close to the
coastline, until you reach Viana do Castelo, where you will spend the night. Seagulls will also enjoy
your attention too, especially if you let them taste a few crumbs from your food. Viana do Castelo,
located on the River Lima estuary, is a bustling city with an active student population and a good
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night life. Dating back to Roman times, Viana’s impressive history includes that of the merchants
who provisioned the ships that took part in the Portuguese discoveries during the 16 th century and
later built the ships that sailed to Newfoundland for codfish. It is they who built the numerous
stately town houses whose architectural beauty is a hallmark of the city.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
29.3
48.9
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
76
0
106
Elevation gain (m)
160
195
Routes
Paved
Trails
100%
0%
100%
0%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 4 - stage 3 – Vila do Conde
The third day again offers a gentle 50 kilometres ride southwards, cycling through vineyards and
across the Protected Landscape Area of the Esposende coast, a wild life and flora reserve. Speak
with the fishermen and their wives. They are such beautiful people - always warm-hearted and
with a friendly word for every passer-by. The city centre is dominated by elegant manors and small
stately homes. The importance of its harbour is not only evident at sea, as you will discover when
you enjoy a wonderful sardine or other fresh fish dinner in town. Afterwards, relax with a leisurely
stroll along the beach before you go to bed, refreshed by the sea air.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
50
51
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
73
0
80
4
Elevation gain (m)
128
209
Routes
Paved
Trails
90%
10%
75%
25%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 5 - stage 4 - Porto
On Day 4 of your holiday, you will cycle to Porto, a short ride of some 34 kilometres. Starting,
naturally, at the Atlantic, you will follow cycle paths until you reach the River Douro. Alongside this
famous river, you will cycle into one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Porto is a World Heritage
city, a historic jewel with more than 150 listed monuments. Ride gently past the famous Eiffel
bridge; see how the proud Port Wine lodges rise uphill from the south bank of the River Douro. An
essential stop, of course, will be to admire the Casa da Música auditorium, designed by Rem
Koolhaas, the Dutch architect. It will be hard to choose where to dine tonight: Porto is famous for
Port Wine and the diversity and quality for its cuisine.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
34.3
47.9
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
50
0
77
Altimetry (easy level):
5
Elevation gain (m)
115
144
Routes
Paved
Trails
90%
10%
75%
25%
 Day 6 - stage 5 - Furadouro
This morning you exchange the hustle and bustle of the city for the peace and quiet of the Atlantic
shore. Once again, you will have a lovely ride along the coast, partly through a pine woods. The
day ends in Furadouro, a hospitable town renowned for its excellent fish. Enjoy your meal!
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
42
52
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
31
0
48
Elevation gain (m)
50
60
Routes
Paved
Trails
80%
20%
70%
30%
Altimetry (easy level):
 Day 7 - stage 6 - Mira
For this last stage, you must not miss visiting the small city of Aveiro, with its picturesque town
centre; if you’re lucky, you will catch sight of a Moliceiro, the colourful wooden boats used for
gathering seaweed. Visit the saltpans too, if you can, and enjoy a delightful footbath in one of the
pans. Once again, this is a beautiful ride of some 55 kms in all today, including through the
Protected Natural Reserve of the São Jacinto dunes. Mira, where you will sleep tonight, perhaps to
dream, is a small fishing village. You will certainly be inspired by the beautiful multi-coloured
striped houses. Visit some of the little shops too; a nice carpet can be bought at affordable prices.
Stage characteristics:
Difficulty level
Distance (Km)
Easy
Medium
55.3
64.7
Altitude (m)
Min
Max
0
13
0
19
6
Elevation gain (m)
23
48
Routes
Paved
Trails
100%
0%
80%
20%
Altimetry (easy level):
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Our bikes for this tour
For this tour we selected 2 types of bicycles for you to choose from:
Hybrid bike:
Specialized hard rock sport disc 2014
29’ wheels
Suntour XCT front suspension
Hybrid tires
Adjustable height stem
E-bike:
Cube reaction HPA 2015
29’ wheels
Suntour XCR front suspension
Mtb tires or Hybrid tires
50 to 120Km autonomy depending on energy management
Adjustable height stem
Equipment

Included in this tour

Cargo rack
Pannier bike bag or handlebar bag
Helmet
Bike tool kit for quick repairs
First aid kit
Pre-paid mobile phone
GPS Garmin Dakota 10 with android based software
Optional:
-
Child seat
Child bike trailer
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Riding options – guided, self-guided and van support
All Authentic Trails tours offer you the option of a guide for all the tour, so that you do not have to worry
about anything. Our guides will anticipate your every need during the entire trip and guide you so that you
do not go off track.
If you prefer more freedom and are comfortable with GPS technology, you may wish to choose the selfguided option. We provide GPS equipment for those who want to ride at their own pace. Our GPS’s are
loaded with our carefully-designed tracks and are as easy to follow as arrows.
A support Van can be added to your tour. This is a great advantage in that every problem can be instantly
solved as our van will always be near your position. You can ask for water or ride in the van if you wish to
rest your legs.
Accommodation
Level CONVIVIAL: Lodging in 3* or 4* hotels (or equivalent category guest houses); small hotels in most
cases. Many of these lodgings have swimming pools, bar and meals services.
Transfers
Authentic Trails offers a transfer service from the airports to the beginning and final stops of our tours. For
some tours, this service is included in the base price; for other tours this service is an additional cost. If you
choose to make the transfer by your own means, the cost will be subtracted from the base price if it was
originally included.
Luggage
Transportation of your luggage is included in our tours and it will be transferred by our staff or our partners
along the way.
Food and drink
All the breakfasts in the hotels are included.
We offer an optional picnic lunch for riding days, delivered to you every morning by the hotels. This picnic is
a light meal, easily carried on your bike. You may also choose our dinner option, so you need not worry
about evening meals.
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Difficulty levels
Medium
Challenging
You go on long bike rides during the year and you would like to take short trips. You do
not mind stopping for a rest at interesting points along the route and enjoy Portugal’s
fantastic countryside, or taking some time off to explore Portuguese towns and discover
the wealth of our culture and their fine food.
At this level, the trips mostly average between 40 and 60 Km/day, with rides a few
gentle kilometres up hillsides and small to medium slopes.
You are not afraid of a good climb that will challenge your abilities, as you know that at
the end you will enjoy the finest view in the region. You enjoy single tracks and being in
direct contact with the most virgin land. All of this, without ever forgetting that
Authentic Trails has thought of everything, including multiple opportunities to get to
know the local culture and flavours.
Level 3 may primarily include distances of between 50 and 70Km/day, with long
climbs, occasionally up steep slopes.
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Prices and reservations
2015 Prices per person (Euros)
For 2 persons
For 4 persons
For 6 persons
Groups
Medium season:
6 Apr to Jun
21 Set to Nov
715
605
565
On request
High season:
Jul to 20Set
1 to 5 Apr
890
780
740
On request
Included in price:
Accommodation level CONVIVIAL, 7 nights, in double standard room, buffet breakfast included
Luggage transfer daily
Hybrid bicycle, cargo rack, pannier bike bag or handlebar bag, tool kit for quick repairs, first aid kit
Pre-paid mobile phone
Gps, road-book
Insurance
Not included, price on request:
Transfers to the starting and ending points of the programs
Guide and support vehicle
Wine and food experiences
Booking and information:
Authentic Trails
Rua Afonso Cordeiro, 679, 3K
4450-007 Matosinhos, Portugal
Tel. +351.222 410 015
Skype: authentictrails
[email protected]
www.authentictrails.com
Call us directly Mon-Fri from 9h00 to 18h00 (Central European Time - 1)
or schedule a call by email or through our website.
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